Chapter Two: "This Little Light of Mine"

In the weeks that past; Alex Mercer realized that he did not like Aaron. He didn't like him for one reason and one reason only. The fact that he took up most of Dana's time; the time that she once spent in his company was now spent with that little boy; the ways they spent that time irritated him too. Dana would read a story to him that she had nabbed off the internet, sometimes she would sing to him, play the occasional game of hide-and seek (they both had fun with this one) and sometimes they would even wrestle. That they had to be careful with; they both enjoyed the activity but Dana knew Aaron did not completely know his own strength so if she didn't want to end up like Curley's Wife from "Of Mice and Men" she would have to teach him when to stop; he listened very well for the most part. Sometimes they would just lie down together; either watching TV or listening to music. Dana would hold him close and Aaron would curl up to her; she would stroke his hair as she held him; it was the whole thing that really agitated him. He missed the few times when Alex and Dana used to do that; he figured he had his chance to get rid of the little brat when Dana came out of her and Aaron's room with tears in her eyes. "What happened?" Alex asked; putting his hand on her shoulder. A closer look into her eyes revealed that she was crying tears of joy; and that she was smiling.

"He….he called me mommy!"

*Enter Flashback*

Dana Mercer held Aaron close to her heart; literally. She cherished every second she had with her child out of fear it might be the last. Due to the Infection and the monsters it produced, the Marines and the martial law freaks known as Blackwatch; it just might be their last.

"Aaron?"

Aaron flicked his eyes upward at her face; she smiled down and said.

"I love you" She gently poked his nose; causing him to smile and giggle. It took him a lot of work to say; but he managed to say.

"Love you, mommy."

Dana stared at him with her mouth agape before she broke down into happy tears; Aaron looked concerned. Had he done something wrong? He had to have done something wrong or otherwise she wouldn't be crying. Before Aaron could mutter an apology Dana held him close and kissed his forehead as Aaron rested his head on Dana's chest. It was official; nothing could tear this mother and son apart.

*End Flashback*

Alex growled and turned around as a little tendril of biomass surfaced out of his shoulder due to his anger; "What the hell is up with you?" Dana said as she crossed her arms. "You spend all your time with-"she cut him off right there.

"Listen, Alex. You will always be my brother and father figure; and do not forget for a second that I will ALWAYS love you. But that little boy right there is my son; I don't think you understand how much I love him and how much he needs me. Do you know how much work it took him to call me "mommy?" He has special needs; I have to stay with him; and you know what? I love every second with him; he's part of this family now so why don't you take a break from saving New York City and spend some time with your nephew?"

Alex thought for a couple of minutes; maybe he could grow to like the boy. He pretty much had no choice if Dana was going to keep him as her son. Aaron was glued to a television screen, Alex was contemplating what he could do with the boy and Dana was on her laptop; typing something out. Alex leaned over to try to take a closer look at her work; it was a Word document. She turned the other way to avoid letting her brother see. Alex sighed deeply; shrugged and tried to interact with the boy. Dana smiled as her brother sat down next to her son; but sighed as he scrambled over to Dana and clung to her leg. She bent down to his level and stroked his hair

"It's ok baby; my brother doesn't want to hurt you." Alex nodded and chuckled

"As powerful as I am; I'm still scared of her."

It took a few explanations for Aaron to get it but eventually; he swung back over next to Alex and hesitantly sat near him to watch the rest of the program. The entire family enjoyed it; they even had the first family dinner they had in awhile. Dana had cooked with some pasta, tomato sauce and ground beef she managed to loot from a grocery store. Of course; Alex just had his usual coffee. Aaron secretly wondered why Alex never ate; monsters had to eat too; right? Dana and Alex discussed something while Aaron stared off into space; several minutes later Dana walked over to her son and put her hands on his shoulders. "Baby; we were thinking that you and Alex should hang out tomorrow; is that ok?" Aaron shied away at first but accepted after awhile. Dana kissed his cheek and thanked him; it was a good idea to let them do some uncle-nephew bonding. I mean after all; they lived in a non-infected area of the city. Alex had taken special precautions that they did; consuming multiple officers to make sure they got switched around. Dana continued to type away on her laptop and it drove Alex up the wall; what was she typing? Was it a report for something, some sort of poem? Alex tried to put that behind him and sat down again next to Aaron; who was accepting him more now. Dana sat down next to the two and as expected he instantly gravitated to her more; leaning his head in her lap. This did not irritate Alex as he would occasionally smile at him from time to time during the program; which was ok for now. Twenty minutes later Dana sent Aaron off to bed in order to spend a little time with her brother. She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek

"Thank you; Alex."

She said; Alex holding her tightly for a few minutes. They said their goodnights and Dana went off to bed. As Alex was about to power everything off; he noticed that Dana had conveniently forgotten to take off the Word document she was typing up from her laptop. His guess was right; it was a poem.

My Beacon of Light: By Dana Mercer.

To my son; who soundly sleeps.

You will never know how much out of joy; I weep.

Every time I look upon you I know the joys.

Of having a sweet and loving baby boy.

When I wake up in the morning and see you there

It always reminds me how much I care.

How much I care for those like you.

Whose minds are pure and whose hearts are true.

When I first met you; you were in pain.

An orphan child kept out in the rain.

I took you in with open arms.

It was then promised to keep you safe from harm.

You don't speak each and every day.

But your eyes show me all you have to say..=

I watch how you laugh, smile and play.

I watch how you grow more and more each day..

But the thing about you I love the most.

Is the way you keep your family close.

How you ask to be held at night.

It makes me smile to see your soul take flight.

To Aaron Connors-Mercer; this is my gift to you.

Words which I know in my heart are true.

In order to see you grow up right.

Let me give you this sound advice.

Keep the ones you love so dear.

You will never know when their time is near.

Do not fear my brother, please.

He will fix what he started of New York's disease.

I know he seems threatening and be scary he can.

But deep down he is a very, very good man.

That made Alex smile as he continued to read.

Reading you these words which I know are true.

Your mother and your uncle; we both love you.

And no matter what; through hardship or strife.

You will always be.

My Beacon of Light.

Alex contemplated the poem as he lie down on the couch; it reminded him of a song his choir used to sing in church. "This Little Light of Mine" He hummed it as he fell asleep.